Ms Burgess said: "In an energy-rich country like Scotland it is absolutely scandalous that so many people are being forced to choose between heating and eating.

"In spite of the concerted efforts of the Scottish Government to help households reduce their energy bills through the provision of energy efficiency grants and initiatives, tens of thousands of families were pushed into fuel poverty last year as a direct result of energy company price rises.

"While we are doing everything we can within our devolved powers to tackle this problem - including committing a budget of £68 million for fuel poverty and energy efficiency programmes this year alone - key levers remain outwith our control.

"We need immediate and urgent action from the UK Government, energy companies and Ofgem to help more households across Scotland where fuel bills mean people are struggling to make ends meet.

"That is why we are using this energy summit to pinpoint our key demands which will help protect vulnerable people and ensure that our households are better supported."

Ms Burgess will use today's summit to demand the UK Government act to improve the regulation of energy companies in a bid to ensure consumers have more protection from price rises.

She will also urge energy companies to do more to protect vulnerable customers, including rolling out a pilot scheme that helps people access cheaper deals.

The housing minister will argue power firms should commit to providing a minimum level of funding to support the Scottish Government's energy efficiency programmes.

She will also press Ofgem to publish the outcome of its investigation into wholesale energy price fixing claims, and to follow this up action as soon as possible.